Beaufort A9-141 & Beaufighter – update Oct 2014

Work this month has continued on Beaufort A9-141 with the wireless rack and other internal fit out occurring whilst the re-spared wing continues to be finished ready for refitting.  This work has included installing the control surface gears which are ingenious little artifacts in their own right. Skinning of the leading edge of the wing will be the next task and the host of internal fit out items also continues in a seemingly never ending procession.

Now that the aircraft is properly housed and access has increased the workforce of volunteers is moving on with the project at sterling pace.

Work also progresses well on the outsourced Beaufighter tail assemblies, with the structural repair and assembly of the static item nearly complete and skin replacement not far off. Ross Ebzery and the team has done a considerable amount of work on the Beaufighter sections and the work is impressive. Warbirds Online’s visit coincided with the removal from storage of the large rotating “tail shaft” arrangement used in the Beaufighter to transfer movement from the control cables to the horizontal stabilizers.

In a Beaufighter this is a very large, robust lump of metal and would do most V8 cars justice – it even uses the same type of universal joints. This item will now be cleaned and refurbished before being refitted to the tail assembly. The shaft is sealed in the horizontal stabilizer and greased externally from grease nipples mounted at the rear of the assembly. Very agricultural, but no doubt effective.

Warbirds Online will continue to report progress on these projects in coming months.

© John Parker 2014